Card-index device



1,572,035 J. H. RAND, JR-

CARD INDEX DEVICE Filed Feb. 2, 1924 y 2 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 9, 1926.

Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

lUNITED STATES PATENT eprice.

JAMES RAND, JR., 0F TONAWANDA,`NEW vYORK.`

Application le'd February 2, 1924. y Serial No. 690,270.

- Be it knownthat I, JAMES H. RAND, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Tonawanda, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have inventeda new and useful Improvement in Cardlnde'x Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention yrelate-s to followers or devices such as are used in connection with trays or supports for record or index cards or card-holders for the purpose of main-V taining` the cards or card-holders in proper position on the trays or supports.

Card' indices have been Vprovided com*- prising trays or supports on which are positioned aplurality of cards or card-holders, these cardsor holders being provided with .flaps wherebythe head of oneY card or holdermay be inserted beneath the flap of an `adjacent card or holder tomaintaiu them in nested,l overlapping f arrangement with the free edges ofthe cards projecting one beyondlv another in such a way that the cards lie substantially flat'on' the tray. The cards or holders are further provided with lugs or lateral 4'extensions adapted to engage beneath side tlangesor guide members on the trays o-r supports so that the cards or holders maybe releasably connected thereto. Follower blocks or members have also been provided, having;f one or more portions for engagiiig` lugs or other-@parts on the trays andanother portion adapted to engage the ilapof Eone or more of :the `cards or holders to compress the cards or holders and maintain them in their nested, overlappingpositions. -The'trays heretofore also have been provided, preferably at. their-front ends, with a card or card-holder sup-porting part eten'ding acoss the tray above the follower and adapted to maintain the cards or holders adjacent that end of the tray in a posit-ion such that. their ends will be in substantially the'sameplane, or in alineinent with the other cards or holders ofthe series, said supporting' member also providing a rest whereby the adjacent cards may he conveniently supported while being worked upon,r and while the follower is being' actuated. Followers of the sort mentioned, however, are. ofY fixed length and depend upon 'the pressure or inherentresilieney of the cards or holders for support in one direction. Therefore, if thecards or holders are not fully compressed when the follower is placed in operative position or should the cards or holders, after use, become more closely7 nested together or lose some of their initial resiliency and thereby relieve some of the resistance against the follower, the felloweiyor the cards or holders, or both, may become disengaged from the tray or support. Y. One of the objects of the present invention is to pro-vide a follower for the purpose stated, which is resiliently compressihle and expansible and which will automatically adjust itself to.vr compensate for variations in compression or resistance in the card series so that the follower will be maintained in proper operative engagement with the cards and with the tray at all times, regardless of -such variations; also to vconstruct a follower which may be easily and quickly inserted in the tray or removed therefrom and which will firmly'` maintain in position a varying number of cards Vor holders, and will prevent the unintentional removal thereof.

Another object is to construct a follower of this character having a part adapted to support the body portions yof the cards or holders adjacent thereto in proper alinement with the other cards of the series, whereby the fixed card-supporting plate or part usually provided at the front end of the tra-ys for this purposenmay be eliminated.

Other objects are to provide a. follower of this sort which, in addition to its usual functionl of compressing' and holding the cards m position on the tray, is adapted to be `moved to a position in which one or more of vits parts will form a support for the cards or hold-ers after they have been actuated or moved to a position in which they extend out'- side of, or beyond the tray also'toy constructa follower having relatively few and simple parts which may be inexpensively produced,` as in the form of sheet metal stamping's, and if desired, to provide suc-h followers with means whereby they may be actuated from outside ofthe'tray; also to improve and simplify the construction of followers of this sort in the other respects hereinafter specified andy claimed. f

vln the aeennpanying drawings:

Fig. l in a plan View of a portion of a eard index tray or support provided with a resilientl)Y comprA le and expansihle follower de iee eanetrneted in aeeordanee with a preferred form of the invention. p

`Fig. 2 in a hottom plan View, on an enlarged seale. of the follower. detached from the tray.

ltig. il is a longitudinal :sectional elevation` on an enlarged Scale. on .line BMS. Fig. l. hilt showing the follower compressed as when lieing inserted in or removed from the tray.

Fig. l in n Similar View on line .lf-la lfig. ll. with the follower in. operative position.

Fig. I3 ie a oottom plan view of a resilientl)v expanailile and eompressihle follower of modified form.

Fig. t is a fragmentary plan View of a eal'd `index trafY or enpport prorided with the modified form o f follower.

Fig. T is a longitudinal 'sectional elevation thereof on line Tw?, Fig. (l.

Fig. d in a Similar AView. showing the follower moved to its eard-releaeing position on the tray. in whieh position it is shown a5 supporting a number of VAard1 which hare heen moved to a position wherein they extend outwardly hejxond the tray'.

Fig. t) in a trannrerne Seetion thereof, on line 9 9, Fig. T.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a resiliently expansilile. and eompressilile follower for the purpose statedr` eneh that when in operative position on the tra); or support it. will he adapted to have a floating or resilient engagement hetween the Serien of cards and a part on the tray.

The follower. as .Qhown in the drawings preferahhY eomprinee. a fard-engaging part. a tray or eard-snpport engaging` part. and mean@ for resilienthv connecting Said parts no that thewT ma have a floating or relative movement one with the other` wher-eh)r the follower ma).Y antomatieally adjust' itself to variations in eompresssion of the nested cards or holders: no that it will always remain in ope 'atire engagement with and maintain the Cards or holders on the tray or support.

The tra),Y ma)Y he of aniv anitalile construetiion. that niiown in the drawings` inelnding a liottom memher or Supporti A, for the yarde. eide flanges l adapted to engage tongnee C on the eards or holders l). whieh project laterallmiY therefrom heneath the flanges B :lio that the eard= are maintained in Sliding en gagement with the tray. The t ay maj.' also he provided with a fixed part or stop againat whieh one of the Series of eards4 or holdersv may ahnt to limit the extent t'owhieh the cards may he moved in one direetion. neh n .atop .is shown at ll. Fig. et. whieh Stop it; adapted to engage the head of the renrmont eard of the leries.

ln the I )referred form of the invention diseloed in Figs. l. to ft. a follower is Shown whit-h eompriaes, generally, a card-engaging member or part 1 0. a tray-engaging meniher l1 morality -connected to tlieinemher or part'y 1t). and resilient means adapt-ed to exert pressure on laaid parts tending to normally foree them in opposite directionsl away from eaeh other. These resilient means may he in the form of a spring memher l2 detaehahly Seenred to parts ltl and l1. The eard-en gaging memher ttl is preferably formed of a snlintantially rectangular sheet metal. part pre feralily extending snhntantially from side to eide of the tra)7 between the flanges Il and haring an edge It adapted to he inserted beneath the flap of the last: eard of the aol-ien. This edge. which is the rear edge in the construction shown. is prerferalihY ex' tended laterall)v at .opposite sides of the member 1t) to form ings or ears l5 adapted to engage heneath the {hingesll to guide the follower in its Sliding movements in the tray. The side and front edges of the memher lt) are preferahhY lient to form stiften ing or Sirenetta-ning flanges 16, 1T and preferaliljtY the side Hanger` 16 are tapered or of wedge torni adapted to engage the bottom or haelt support A and hold the plate ltl in an int-lined position beneath the cards l). rthe trait-engaging member 11 also pref erahliv in the form of a rectangular Sheet metal part adapted to extend beneath the part 1t) in sliding engagement with its lower face. The side edges Q() of this member 1l extend adjaeent thetlangee 16. and lugs 21, 2:5 on the n'iemher 1t) extend downwardlyv and inwardlyv heneath and in engagement with the edges 20 and the under faee of the niemher ll and form guides therefor so that it ma)1 have sliding movements relative to the other part ttl.

Hnitahle means are provided for interengaging the lfollower with a part of the tray. In the embodiment of the invention Shown. the front edge Q3 of the trayengagingI part l1. is formed with one or more otfeet extensions; or fingere 2l extending ontwardlj7 and downwardlliv lieyond said edge and adapted to engage heneath one or the other of n series of hooks or lugs 24 on the tra); part. adjaeent its` frontend. As illustrated. thef e hoolqn maxT he arranged in pairsl so that the follower will he held against tnrning or twisting in the tray. The flange 1T of the Inemlier l() is preferahl)Y ent a. "ay or notched ont as shown in Fig. 2. to permit free morenient and passage of the ,fingers Bil- The resilient memher 12. hefore mentioned, is Shown an being formed of Spring wire and provided with a eentral part engaging onder a hook or part 26 of a liridge meniher 2T on the eai'd-engag-ing memher ttl. The spring l2 further.provided with oppoaitely extending expansihle loops 2S. the

llt)

llt)

litt) 32, 33, respectively.

(ifi

the parts 10 and 11 in opposite directions,

thus upon referring to Fig. 2, the edge 14 of thel part 10 will be forced upwardly while the lingers 24 of the part 11 will be forced in the opposite direction, or downwardly. Stop shoulders or parts 31 on the part 11' arev provided which are .adapted to strike against a partof the member 10, as for instance the flange 17, to limit ythe relative movement of the parts 10 and 11. These two parts 10, 11 are preferably formed with apertures The bridge 27 of the part 10 extends transversely across the aperture $32, while a similar bridge member formed by an edge ofthe aperture 83 and a turned-over flange 36 of the part 11 also extends across the aperture 32, substantially parallel with but at a dist-ance from the other bridge 27. The purpose of these parts will now be explained. y

In the use of the follower described, a desired number of cards or holders D are assembled flatwise in the tray and preferably,.but not necessarily, in nested, overlapping arrangement therein, with their tongues C' in engagement beneath ther flanges B thereof. After pushing the series of cards towards the back stop E, the follower is inserted in the trayby grasping vthe bridge parts 2T and 34, and by pressing these parts towards each other the follower is 'compressed against the action of the spring member 12, and its length thereby shortened.v

The rear edge 14 may now be inserted beneath the flap of the last card or holder, as shown in Fig. 3, and the fingers 24 lowered to the position indicated in that ligure. The follower should now be released` whereupon the spring member 12 will force the part 11 away from the part 10 and together with the reaction of the nested cards will cause the lingers 24 to firmly engage beneath the selected tray lugs or parts 24a. It is desirable thatwhen insertingp'the follower, as above described,`it should beso positioned with reference to a pair of the lugs that'when released, the fingers 24 will engage the selected lugs 24 before the shoulders 31 reach their stop position against the flange 17.v In this wav the follower' will be permitted to have a floating or resilient action vbetween its members 10 and 11 in both directions so that thev will auton'iatically act, through the spring member 12 to allow the follower to adjust itself or compensate for the varying` compressions received thereby from the'card series during the use ofthe tray. Further, the card series may be increa sed or reduced iu nuniber, without reducing the eiciencyof the follower, by moving the lingers 24 into Fig. 9.

Aface rof theV wall 43 of the tray. 45 thereby forms a stop to limit the out engagement with one or another of the pairs of lugs 24 .in accordance with the number of cardsin theseries.

vis vshown in Figs. kS3 engaging member 10 provides a surface adapted to firmly support the adjacent'cards in operative position', so that they may be readily worked upon, at the same time main taining thefree' ends ofA these cards in substantially 'the same plane. as the endsiof remainingcards of the series, that is, substantially parallel with, or flat on, the support A.. The resiliently eXpansible and compressible follower' may beconstructed and arra'ngedion thetray indifferent ways. In the modified form shown in Figs. -9, aA follower is shownwhich is provided with a part whereby the followermay be actuated from outside the tray for .the purpose of' connecting and disconnecting` it from the tray. This follower. comprises, as before, two relatively movable and resiliently'conneeted,l members a and 11a'. The member 10 hasan'edge 14a'adapted to engage a card or card-holder D', while the part 11a has a slidable connection with the member 10L by means of'lugs 21a, 22a, and its .front edgeA 36 preferablyY passes outwardly beyond the front edge 17am? the member 10a through fan aperture 36"l.in that edge, see A 'The' follower is further provided with 'an actuating .and locking stem or device 40. `-rThis device has a hinge` or pivot connection 41 with the rear part of the member 11:L and its front portion extends voutwardy through an aperture 42 inr the front wall" 43 of the tray, where itis provided witha knob or handle 44 for .actuating it. This stem 40 is provided with means for releasably connecting it to a part of the tray so that the lfollower may be maintained in operative position. In the form shown in the drawings, a lug or tooth 45, stamped or otherwise formed on the stem, is adapted to engage a part of the tray, as for instance, an edge of the aperture 42 on the inner The lug ward movement of the part 11a due. tothe pressure ofthe resilient spring'member 12.

1,A flat spring 46 connected' to the stein and bearing against the. handle 44 normally holds the' lug' 45m its stop or'locking position, as shown vin Fig. 7, and by pressing ldownwardly on the handle 44, the lug' may vbe released to permit the stem to be withdrawn.A As shown inFig. 8, outward movement of the stem 40 moves the follower parts 1()a and 11 away from the card series on the tray, and permits the follower to take .an inclined position relatively to the tray,`

in` engagement with, and supported bythe edge of the front wall43. Any other form of locking andactuating means'could be emi ploy'ed if desired.

and 4,*V the card-` Sli (itl

`The `card index trays are sometimes arranged so as to be suspended in a subst-air tially vertical or upright position. In such eases, the inclined position ot the retracted follower just described is o'lI advantage in that the .member a thereo't then t'orins a convenient rest 'toi' a number ot the cards during the time that the card series is being arranged or manipulated and also lnovides a lirm support to permit these cards to be worked upon.

ln the devices herein described, the tolA lowers are capable oi' automatically adjnsting themselves to variations in compressmn or` resistance 'trom the cards or holders, while maintaining themselves at all times iu ,tirm contact with the cards and with the tray. thus preventing the cards. holders. or the `followers from heilig jostled ont ot' the tray when the tray is moved suddenly or dropped The 'followers are easily and inexpensivelv constructed trom sheet metal stampings. and theyv are adapted, in addition to their :fnnction as compressors, to form aiconvenient and smooth working support tor the cards adjacent thereto.

l claim as my invention:

l. In a record-holding trayT including a snpijiorting part on which a series of record devices are adapted to be maintained in overlapping relation substantially parallel with said supporting part with their free edges exposed one beyond the other, the combination of a back stop on said trav against which one end of said series is adapted to abut, and a resilientl)7 expansible and compressible member having a part for engaging the other end ot said series ot' record devices. and a part tor engaging` a portion of said tray, whereby said devices are resilientlv compressed and maintained on said tray against said stop. said resilientl)Y expansible and eompressible member having a part adapted to support the free. ends ot the adjacent record devices and. maintain them in substantial alinement with the tree ends ot the other devices of said series.

In a rccordlholding tray inclndinga supporting part on which a series ot' record devices are adapted to be maintained in overlapping relation substantially parallel with said supporting partwith their tree edges exposed one beyond theother. the combination ot a back stop on said trav against which one end ot said series is adapted to ahnt. and a resilientlv expansible and comprei-'sible` member having a part for engaging the other end ot said series ot record devices. and a part ttor engaging a portion o't said trav, whereby said devices al'e resilientlv compressed and maintained on said trav against taid stop` said record-deviceengaging part ot said resiliently expansible and compressible member being adapted to extend under the adjacent record devices to form a support 'lor the ilree ends ot said devices.` whereby said ends ma)v7 be maintained in substantial alineinent with the tree ends ot the other devices olf said series.

l. ln a detachable stop tor trays itor snpporting a plurality ol record devices, the combination o'l a member having a part 'tor engaging said record devices, a second member having a part :l'or engaging said tirst member and a part tor engaging a portionoif a tray, and a resilient member having parts engaging each ot said other n1e1n bers so that said other members are capable ol' resilientlv expansible and compressible movenicnls relatively to each other, said stop being adapted to normally expand to maintain said record-cngaging part and said tray-engaging part thereof in engagement with said record devices and said tray re- .spcctiveljvl. ln a detachable stop 'tor lravs it'or snpporting a plm'alitv ot record devices, the combination ot' a member having a part 'tor engaging said record devices, a second member having a part tor engaging said tirst member and a part 'lor engaging a portion ot' a trav. and a 'esilient member'having parts engaging each ot said other members so that said other members are capable o'l rcsilientlv cztpansible and conilrn'essiblc movements relatively to each other. said stop being adapted to normalli," expand to maintain said record-engaging part and said trav-engaging part thereof in engagement with said record devices and said trav respectively, and parts on said stop adapted to be moved towards each other lo eon'ipress said stop against the action ot said resilient member whereby said stop ma)v be inserted into and rel ascd `trom engaging position with said record devices and said trav.

In a detachable stop tor trave t'or snpporting a plurality ot record devices. the combination ot a member having a part 'tor engaging said record devices. a second menn ber having a part for engaging said tirst member and a part tor engaging' a portion ot a trav. and a resilient member having` parts engaging each ot' said other members so that said other members are apable ot resilientlv 'expansible and compressible movements relativelyr to each other` said stop being adapted to normalli7 expand to maintain said record-engaging` part and said tra vengaging part thereo't in engagement with said record devices and said tra)v respectively. a part on said first membe' and a part on said .second member adapted to be grasped to move said members toward each other against the action ot said resilient member. whereinY said slop mayY be inserted into and removed 'from engaging position with said record devices on saidtray.

o: In a record-holding tray including a supporting part on which a series of record devicesare adapted to be maintainedY in oi'erlapptng relation substantially parallel wth "said supporting part with their Vvfree edges'cXposed Vone beyond the other, the combinaticir'otfa back; stopV on said tray against which one ond ot said series is adapted to abut, and a'resiliently expansible and compressible member adapted to be inserted beneath a portion of said series of record devices to support the same and maintain the 'whole oi said series in operative position against said back stop, said member having a part for engaging a por- K tion oi' said series and a part for engaging Cil a portion of said tray a part for normally expanding said member to maintain said other parts in contact with said series and said tray portion, and means whereby said member may be compressed against the action of said expanding part to permit the removal of said member from said tray.

7. In a record-holding tray including a supporting part on which a series of record devices are adapted to be maintained in overlapping relation substantially parallel with said supporting part with their free edges exposed one beyond the other, the combination or" a back stop on said tray against which one end of said series is adapted to abut, and a resiliently eXpansible and compressible member adapted to'be inserted beneath aportion of said series of record devices to support the same and maintain the whole of said series in operative position against said back stop, said member having a part for engaging a portion of said series and a second part for engaging a part on said tray, said second part being slidably connected to said first part, a resilient spring member connected to said first and said second parts to normallyV eX- pand said member and hold the same in its operative engaging position, and a part on each of said members adapted to be pressed to force said members towards each other to compress said member to disengage it from said tray.

8. In a record-holding tray, including a supporting part on which a series of record devices are adapted to be maintained in overlapping relation substantially parallel with said supporting part with their free edges exposed one bevond the other, the combination of a back stop on saidl tray against which one end ot said series is adapted to abut, and a resiliently eXpa-nsible and compressible member having a part for.

engaging the other end ot said series of record devices, and a part for engaging a portion of said tray, whereby said devices are resiliently compressed and maintained on said tray against said stop, said resiliently expansible and compressible member having a part adapted yto lie beneath and support apart of said'l series in operative position in said tray, and said member being vadapted to be moved so that said supporting ypart may support a' portion ot said series in 'ai position outside'of said tray.

`9. In a record-holding tray7 the combination of a stop part for engaging an end of a series of record devices on said tray to prevent movement of said series in one direction longitudinally of said tray, a resiliently expansible and compressible member having a part adapted to engage another end of said series, and a part on said member having a portion engaging a part ot said tray, `a portion extending outside of said tray, and means whereby said tray-engaging portion may -be held in such engagementwhereby said member may be maintained in operative relation to said series to hold them in position against said stop7 said outwardly extending` portion being adapted to be actuated to disconnect said tray-engaging portion and permit said member to be moved to and from operative record-engaging position.

l0. In a record-holding tray including a supporting part on which a series of record devices are adapted to be maintained in overlapping relation substantially parallel with said supporting part with their free edges exposed one beyond the othere the combination ot a back stop on said tray Vagainst which one end of said series is adaptedto abut, and a resiliently eXpansible and compressible member having a part for cngaging the otherlend of said series of record devices, and a part for engaging a portion of said tray, whereby said devices are resiliently compressed and maintained on .said tray against said stop, said resiliently eX- pansible and compressible member having a part adapted to lie beneath and support a part of said series in operative position in said tray,V and a part extending to the outside of said tray, said 'part being adapted to be actuated to disconnect said tray-engaging part and permit said member to be moved from its record-supporting position on said tray to a record-supporting position outside of said tray.

11. In a record-holding'tray including a supporting part on which a series of record devices are adapted to be maintained in overlapping relation substantially parallel with said supporting part Vwith their free edges exposed one beyond the other, the combination of a back stop on said tray against which the end of said series is adapted to abut, and a resiliently eXpansible and compressiblel member having a part for engaging the other end of said series of record devices, and a part for engaging a portion ofsaid tray, whereby said devices are resiliently compressed and maintained on said tray against said stop, said resilieuHy expzmsible und eompifessibie member having a part adapted t0 lie beneath and support :i part of said series in ope attive position in Suid tray, und :i part extending to the outside of said tray, said part being adapted to be, actuated to disconnect' said iiziyeligugiiig part and permit said member to lie moved from its 1eeoxd-sup0rting posi* tion on Suid tray to :i position outside of Suid trui' and out oi engagement with said series of record devices to permit said devices to be removed from or adjusted ou said tray.

JAMES H. RAND, JR. 

